Training Program

Our training adheres to a strict bench-mark schedule that takes you from no experience to Certified Flight Instructor in 24 months.

Student Services

From day one to finding your dream job, we are here to provide a clear path to your goals. We guide you through the entire experience. Our Student Services Staff is comprised of financial aid professionals and veteran graduates.

Degree Programs

From the ground to the sky, you will be surrounded by highly experienced flight instructors and a faculty comprised of the most experienced personnel in the industry.

FAQs

Veterans helping Veterans

Our highly experienced Veteran staff are here to help you from the initial paperwork to the resume that lands you your first job.

July 14, 2017

What is High Density Altitude and why does it matter?

You may have heard about “flying in High DA” or “High Density Altitude”, but does that really mean anything to the aspiring helicopter pilot looking for the right training program? I can tell you that it didn’t mean anything to me when I first started looking into flight schools. Back then, I had seen it … Continued

February 14, 2017

One Student Pilot’s Advice on Applying for Flight Training in the USA

Private Pilot, Lechelle Dippenaar traveled across the world to take the next step in her flight training, coming to Guidance all the way from South Africa. Here, Lechelle shares with us the some of her story and what it was like enrolling for flight school in the U.S. as a foreign citizen. What was your … Continued

January 2, 2017

Santa Flies in on a Helicopter: 2017 Edition

Once again, a Guidance Aviation pilot was happy to oblige when Santa Claus needed a ride. This year, Chief Pilot Instructor Zach Hardwick heeded the call to escort Santa over to Yavapai Exceptional Industries (YEI!). Check out a 360°, panoramic video of the event. If you’re on mobile, try moving your device to see the … Continued

December 12, 2016

Keeping the Prestige in Pilot

Guidance Aviation Pilot, Andrew Craw and his family relocated over 1700 miles for Andrew to attend the right flight school and to pursue his dream of becoming a Commercial Pilot. His dream is now becoming a reality. As I sit with my wife and three year old son at the local airport restaurant, I can’t … Continued

They make metal fly. Airframe and Powerplant technicians (A&P’s) of the helicopter world are the unsung heroes of helicopter aviation. Without them, helicopter pilots, crews, instructor pilots, and student pilots would never leave the pad or worse: drop like rocks while in flight.

How is it that so many flying hours are accomplished safely and so consistently in such complex machines?“The answer is found blowin’ in the wind” as Bob Dylan would say, or in this case, the wind made by our A&P’s skills, dedication to safe flight, and a love for machines and their disciplines. So, who are these “heavy metal rock stars” that not only make metal fly, but are willing to shoulder the enormous responsibility of ensuring the safety and lives of others?

To answer these questions, let’s look at what it takes to become an aviation maintenance tech (A&P). According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA.GOV), the basic requirements for a U.S. citizen to become an aircraft mechanic are:

You must be at least 18 years old.

You must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.

You must get 18 months of practical experience with either power plants or airframes, or 30 months of practical experience working on both at the same time. As an alternative to this experience requirement, you can graduate from an FAA-Approved Aviation Maintenance Technician School.

You must pass three types of tests; a written examination; an oral test; a practical test

Test details:

Pic courtesy of Robert Ardy, CFI-I, Guidance Aviation

To become an aircraft mechanic, you must take oral and practical tests as well as written tests. There is a fee for the test. A Designated Mechanic Examiner gives you the oral and practical test. You can get a list of these examiners at the local FAA office. The oral and practical tests cover 43 technical subjects. Typically tests for one certificate–airframe or power plant–takes about 8 hours.

To apply to take the written test, you must present your proof of experience to an FAA inspector at the local FAA office. There are separate tests for airframe and power plant mechanic certificates, as well as a general test covering both. If the inspector decides you meet the requirements to take one of the tests, you may make an appointment for testing at one of the many computer testing facilities (PDF) world-wide. You can get a list of sample general, airframe, and power plant test questions.

If you fail part of a test, you have to wait 30 days before you can take it again, unless you give a letter to the Examiner showing you’ve gotten additional training in the areas you failed.

You must pass all the tests within a 24-month period. The FAA will then issue you a certificate.

So, the next time you see a helicopter flying, instead of thinking, “Helicopter pilots are cool” maybe you’ll sing a “Heavy Metal Anthem” to the A&P’s, rockstars of helicopter aviation.

Guidance Aviation provides high altitude helicopter and fixed wing flight training utilizing the newest aircraft and best equipment available. For more information, go to http://www.guidance.aero or http://www.guidancehelicopters.com